Katy, Pearland football fans optimistic

If excitement and predictions from school officials, students and the local community are an indication of the outcome of Saturday's UIL State Football Semifinal games, both Katy and Pearland high schools will walk away with a "W" on Saturday.

"The excitement around here is just amazing," said Diane Barnes, receptionist at Katy High School, as she described Friday afternoon prior to a pep rally the school planned for students and the local community to get ready for the big game.

Katy (14-0) will hit the grid iron against San Antonio Johnson (12-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Reliant Stadium.

"The community support has just been great," Barnes said, before adding, "The tradition here is like no other. Year after year everyone from the student body, faculty, staff and community comes together to create an atmosphere that's simply amazing. If anyone is new to the Katy area, based on the excitement, I'm sure that all they can say is `wow'."

Barnes went on to give her official prediction for Saturday's Class 5A Division II contest by saying, "We're going to win."

But the excitement about Saturday's game wasn't confined within the school walls: Flags, vehicle decals, and spirit wear peppered the Katy community Friday, even purchases for new Katy High School football T-shirts to sport during Saturday's game was evident.

David Young, a longtime Katy resident, was one of several fans who stopped by Brammer's Athletic Wearhouse on Fifth Street, early Friday to pickup a new sweatshirt specifically for the game.

Young pointed out that he's never seen the community so excited.

"That's saying a lot considering the football tradition here," Young said.

Pearland High School Principal Larry Berger said the block party is at 6 p.m. in the school's parking lot near the cafeteria, where the Touchdown Club, the drumline, and fans will tailgate.

"We believe in our team," Berger said. "The atmosphere here is just like it was in 2010 when we beat Katy and Trinity. Never doubt the P. The Pearland passion and the physicality. They said we weren't going to beat Lamar, that we weren't going to beat Cy Fair, but we did."

Tracy Johnson, a parent of two high school students at Pearland High School, said Saturday's game has been all her kids have talked about at the dinner table at home this week.

"I normally don't go to the games, but with all of the talk and hype that's going around I won't miss this game," Johnson said. "We've been talking about taking a road trip for a while. I thought it would be for spring break or a holiday, but this may be just as fun for the entire family. We're just making a weekend of it."

Berger said that the school made buses available for students to make the trip to Saturday's game in Waco.

Approximately 106 students will ride the bus to the game.

As for Berger's official prediction for Saturday's game: "Our offense will correct any mistakes and our defense will stop them. I expect a win, so we'll play next week."